In supporting this legislation, our goal is to help the state secure millions in additional revenues while also establishing the rights of individuals to make informed, personal decisions.

“Across the country, 31 states are benefiting from the increased tourism that has resulted from modifications to their helmet laws. Riders go where they can ride without helmets, and they take their money with them,” said Senator Mike Bell, sponsor of the legislation. “Tennessee is losing millions of dollars every year in additional revenues by keeping the mandatory helmet laws on the books.”

If modified helmet laws in the state of Tennessee were to follow suit with other states passing similar legislation, the state could see up to a 50 percent increase in motorcycle registrations, resulting in an increase of $2.3 million in motorcycle registration revenues alone. Tourism revenues could also increase as a result of out-of-state motorcyclists being able to ride helmet-free through Tennessee.

“The economic benefit of this legislation is clear,” said Representative Cameron Sexton, sponsor of the legislation. “As states across the nation have passed similar legislation, motorcycle purchases and registrations have increased, resulting in millions of dollars in additional revenues and in significant boosts to the tourism industry at both the state and local levels.”

According to the legislation, a person who is operating a motorcycle would not be required to wear a helmet if the rider: